Background

In the field of Globally Distributed Software Engineering, a concept exists which listens to the name ‘Follow-the-Sun’. This concept ultimately handles round-the-clock, or 24-hour, software development. By having software development sites distributed across multiple time zones, one can hand off a status update and the project source at the end of the day to the next site, which has just started its workday and continues working on the project from that point. When each site acts accordingly, work will be done on the project 24 hours a day instead of just eight hours. The reduced project duration due to this shift work is called the overnight gain effect.

When trying to set up a Follow-the-Sun project, a company faces various difficulties. The most obvious question is:

“Where will I locate the sites?”

An answer to this question is not very easily given and depends on numerous factors. The research has focussed on two of those factors; the optimal time zone difference and the natural ease of communication. Based on these factors, the routing model is constructed, which should be able to support a company in locating the sites, thus routing a Follow-the-Sun cycle.

More information can be found in the research report, which can be downloaded here.